The hidden benefits of clothes steamers

Clothes steamers, or garment steamers, offer several different benefits beyond its more obvious primary function of wrinkle removing.

Things like its sanitising effect, odour removal and use on furnishings. So let’s dig in with a list of its hidden gems.

Steaming benefits asthma sufferers

Lets break this down…

1. Steam heat kills almost all dust mites, bacteria and other allergens that may be present in clothing, and which can cause asthma attacks.

2. Clothes steamers are also chemical free, removing the need for fabric sprays or deodorizers (needed to cover odours from surviving bacteria) which can also cause asthma symptoms.

3. Fabric damage can also cause asthma symptoms and with steamers being gentler on fabrics compared to irons, the risk of burning or damaging fabrics is significantly reduced.

Effective on home furnishings

That’s right! Steamers can be used on a range of home furnishings and offer some real benefits over alternatives too!

1. Upholstered furniture. Steamers can tidy up sofas and soft chairs, and importantly freshen and even clean the material. The steam helps to loosen the dirt, stains and odours, making it easier to subsequently remove. The steam heat also kills the dust mites and bacteria that causes odours, in turn freshening the material and the general freshness of the room.

2. Curtains. Steamers are excellent for removing wrinkles from curtains, and the great thing is they can be steamed without taking them down! This not only saves time (compared to ironing) but helps prevent damage to delicate or decorative materials. More on steaming curtains.

3. Bedding and Pillows. Steaming bedding, including sheets, pillowcases and duvet covers can really smarten up your bedrooms and freshen between washes. And some come with a pump mechanism so you can steam in the horizontal position with dripping.

4. Carpets and Rugs. Like soft furnishings a clothes steamer can be used to freshen and remove/loosen dirt, and remove any nasty odours.

5. Tablecloths and Napkins. This is a great one for those dinner parties! Create extra neatness with a quick steam.

Steaming can remove wardrobe moths

Steaming the contents of your wardrobe, particularly items that are rarely used can help to preserve the life of clothes. How?

1. Heat. Moths and their larvae are sensitive to heat. Steamers produce sufficiently high temperatures to kill the moths and their larvae.

2. Moisture. The combination of heat and moisture from a steamer creates a truly inhospitable environment for moths.

3. Penetration. Steam can penetrate deep in to the fibres of clothes, reaching hidden areas where larvae may be present.

4. Cleaning effect. The steam can loosen and remove moth droppings, webbing and other debris left behind by the pests. It can also remove any odours left from the infestations.

Water efficient

Steamers require less water than the traditional iron, utilizing steam rather than soaking the garment. This makes them more water efficient and eco-friendly, helping to conserve water resources.

No ironing board

This benefit cannot be over emphasised.

Not having to use an ironing board can help when space is an issue, it also means the steamer makes the perfect travel companion when on the move and in hotels (how many times have you found it difficult to get an iron and ironing board in a hotel?). It also means you can steam items like soft furnishings and curtains in-situ.

Less risk of shine

Ironing certain fabrics, such as dark or delicate materials can sometimes lead to shiny patches. Steamers reduce the risk of shine as they are not applying direct heat or pressure to the fabric.

Safe for embellishments

Clothes with embellishments like sequins, beads, or embroidery can be challenging to iron, and with risk of damage. Steaming is safer as it gently relaxes the fabric without applying excessive pressure, thereby preserving the integrity of the garment.